Hi! My name is Martha Stanton-Smith. I am a Certified Canadian Staging Professional, helping home owners prepare their properties for sale. The majority of my staged properties sell in under 30 days for over 98% of asking price.
You can contact me at 613-539-3233 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST or email martha@rearrangements.ca.
I believe:
There’s an emotional component to every buying decision. Staging uses this fact to help sell houses. By making your house feel like home to buyers, we move them to a buying decision.
It’s important to prioritize staging recommendations so you’ll get the best return on investment. Low cost, high return changes come first. When you are investing for resale, you need to stick to a budget to maximize profits.
Why did I start a staging business?:
Over the years I have bought and sold ten homes. By the third sale in the mid 80′s, I began taking notice of the easy and inexpensive things I could do to make my homes show better.
In 2005, I persuaded my son to let me haul in a few items to stage his rental condominium for prospective tenants. These simple additions made renting for top dollar a cinch.
Later when it was time to sell that property, I staged it again. It sold quickly in spite of stiff competition from several lower priced identical units in the same building. That was when our Realtor encouraged me to offer my staging services to the public.
That experience convinced me that I definitely could help people sell their properties faster and keep more of their hard earned home equity in their pockets.
Getting into the Staging business was a long and winding road.
I was always interested in homes, sketching floor plans and interiors as a child. I took one year of Environmental Studies (pre-architecture) at University of Manitoba in 1968. In the summer, I got a job at The City of St. Vital Engineering Department on the survey crew.
That summer job lead into almost 30 years working for The City of Winnipeg. I took accounting at night school and in 1982 graduated as a Certified General Accountant. I became an Auditor and then a Budget Officer before I retired in 1998.
“Funny how nothing we learn ever seems to be wasted. Now I audit people’s homes and help them budget their improvements.”
During those 30 years my husband, our son, and I moved through a series of homes, improving each and decorating them before selling. I had no idea that my efforts were called “staging” and that it was already an emerging career in the US. I found the process of buying and selling property very exciting, but knew I would not be happy with the difficult job of being a Realtor.
When Ann Maurice appeared on my television in the late 90′s with her staging show, The House Doctor, I was enthralled. But, I still had no idea how to launch a staging business. I took an online course in re-design and staging. It was comprehensive — but I was still apprehensive.
“In spite of my doubts if I had what it takes to be an entrepreneur, I finally decided that I would regret not trying more than trying and failing.”
I took a leap of faith and founded Rearrangements in March, 2006.
Mistakes I made early on:
When I started as a staging consultant, I would mention only the things I thought the homeowner could manage to change, and not overwhelm them with the rest. I learned the hard way that if buyers voice objections, it’s better if the homeowner has heard them from me first. Even if there is nothing practical the homeowner can do about the deficiency, they must be informed.
Certification & Awards:
Shortly after starting Rearrangements, I discovered the Canadian Staging Professionals. Their course offered a Canadian perspective, a hands-on component as well as continuing education and support. I became a Certified Canadian Staging Professional in August, 2006.
In 2010, I became a RESA-PRO. This is a designation from the Real Estate Staging Association the international industry self-monitoring body. It means that I have met and maintain a required level of proficiency and ethical standards.
In 2009-10 I was pleased to be the recipient of the Community Involvement Program of the Year for my work with Kingston Interval House. A group of eight local designers, decorators and stagers each decorated two suites in KIH’s new Robin’s Hope Transitional Housing apartments. More . . .
Speaking:
I have given many talks and workshops on the subjects of staging or moving at Limestone Continuing Education, Conservatory Pond Retirement Residence, the Seniors Centre, the Military Family Resource Centre, Kingston Home Builders Spring home improvement shows and various groups around Kingston.
Volunteering and Hobbies:
Since 2006, I have volunteered with Kingston Interval House, serving on the Finance, Second Stage Housing, and Resource Devlopment workgroups and as a Board Member. The agency provides shelter and programs for women and children who are victims of violence.
In my spare time I enjoy tracing my family’s genealogy. I organized two family reunions and for 15 years wrote and desktop published a family newsletter. I was involved with the restoration of the Clear Lake Cemetery near Chaffey’s Locks, ON. where some of my ancestors are buried.
In the summer I enjoy walking in our local parks, and in the winter you may find me mall walking or taking an aquacise class at a local fitness club. Hunting for treasures in thrift stores or at garage sales is also great fun. Sometimes there are unusual pieces which can be reworked for staging. When I’m at home, I’m likely to be on the computer reading, researching or trying new website and social media techniques.
Have you noticed how some houses sell easily and others seem to linger forever on the market? Wondering why this happens? Download my special report to learn “Five Reasons Houses Don’t Sell and What You Can Do About Them.”
Please complete the following form. You will also be subscribed to my monthly ezine. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.